ABSTRACT
Contrary to what is generally stated by art historians, the authors of the iconographic works presented here do not address themselves to artists. Their context leaves no doubt that these texts were aimed at the patrons, mostly royal patrons, those who usually 'ordered' works of art. The kind of knowledge which is imparted to the reader does not relate to the technical skills which artists should have acquired. It is more the kind of artistic knowledge which any well-educated member of ancient Indian society should acquire:
This context should be noted carefully, because it has a bearing upon the evaluation of the data we are confronted with.
